Should we be worried?

After the disco was over, everyone ignoring Rose and Alec as Rose had been showing off slightly, John made sure Rose got back home, waiting for Alec to say goodnight to her as he walked her to the door.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked her as she was about to enter the code to get in.

"Yeah, it was fun. Alec, think about what I said, about Jamie. If I'm wrong then good but I don't think I am. Night then, see ya on Sunday?"

"Yes, goodnight Rose, it was good, getting to dance all night. I'd best go," he replied, suddenly feeling awkward and trying to remember what John had told him.

"Alec, ya can kiss my cheek if ya want?" Rose smiled.

He reached over and gave her a tiny peck on her right cheek, hoping John wasn't watching as he'd reversed the car. His cousin was watching though, smiling to himself as the two of them were in the doorway.

"Rose, you looked very nice tonight," Alec added, wondering if he'd remembered to say it earlier.

"Thanks. I should really go inside now," she reminded him.

"Of course, I'd best not keep John waiting. See you on Sunday."

John took Alec back home and asked if there was anything wrong.

"No, well Rose was talking about Jamie but I'll tell you on Sunday. Thanks for bringing us back, we thought we'd have to get the bus."

"Why?" John wondered.

"You were dancing with Miss Evans," Alec smiled.

"You were dancing with Rose all night," John reminded him with a laugh. "If you must know, I'm taking her out but I'm counting on you not to say anything Alec."

"Not even to Rose?" Alec tried not to laugh.

"Well if you must, night then, glad you remembered to see her to the door."

After that evening at the disco, Rose made a point of kissing Alec's cheek at least once a day at school, at first it was mainly as everyone went in and it made John smile when he was on playground duty but as it got colder, they would walk around to keep warm, arm in arm and when it rained or snowed, everyone would cram into the hall and they could hardly have any space to themselves.

Now, Christmas was coming up and this year, Rose was undecided if she was looking forward to it or not, since she'd learned of her mother's and Bob's plans to have their friends over and the more Rose talked about it to Alec, the more worried he got.

Two weeks before the big day, Rose had mentioned to her mother again about their party on Christmas Eve. Her mother had relented somewhat and had promised to try to talk Bob into letting Rose go out but Rose was still unsure as Alec's aunt asked her one Sunday afternoon.

Alec had been talking to John before he set off to call for her, it had been snowing and John had offered to take him.

"No, it's fine, Rose will be glad of the walk," Alec insisted. "I have to go get her a present yet, I don't know what I should get for her."

"Ah, don't ask me Alec, I've got no-one to buy for, well not female apart from your aunt of course and I really should get a little something for Rose."

His few dates with the gym teacher had come to nothing and there was no-one else he had his eye on but he'd not given up entirely, he was going to try again by inviting her out for a meal a few days before. So Rose and Alec were sitting in his aunt's nice and warm kitchen when his aunt came in.

"So you are coming round on Christmas Eve Rose?"

"I'm not sure Mrs Smith, I'm gonna try my best though, even if I've got to sneak out. If they make me stay in, I'm locking myself in my room all night."

"Well, that's what we are all worried about," his aunt told her. "Why are they making you stay in?"

"I've no idea, I hardly know any of them. I think Bob wants to show me off or something, that this year he's got a family, well at least I hope that's it."

"So do we," Alec told her, his aunt agreeing with him.

"Never mind Rose, I'm sure you'll be okay," his aunt tried to reassure her.

Rose just hoped she was right. The Saturday before Christmas, Rose had gone in a store with her mother and was looking for something to get Alec since she'd been saving her allowance. She'd reluctantly got something for Bob, her mother telling her she'd be best to do so and they had passed the stationery department when Rose had an idea.

"Mum, I think I'll just go back there," she pointed behind her. "I could get Alec a nice writing set with pens and everything."

"Does he do a lot of writing?" her mother wanted to know.

"Well yeah, he does. I'm sure he'll be pleased."

That sorted, there was just her mother to buy for. She'd seen her and Bob in the supermarket the last few weeks buying extra bottles of various wines or spirits for their friends who were coming to the party and thought it a bit pointless, if they were all bringing presents of bottles of something or other plus they'd been getting drinks and food for the party.

"So have you asked Bob if I can go out?" Rose asked hopefully.

"He's still not said anything," her mother told her. "You'd be best asking on the night, just stay a while and maybe he'll let ya go out?"

"Mum, Alec and his cousin were gonna call for me, I have to let them know," Rose protested.

"Well ya can phone them, can't ya?" her mother suggested.

She had Alec's phone number though she didn't know why so she'd have to get his aunts and hope for the best. The last day at school, they'd been allowed a non-uniform day and they were having a big party in the hall at two, then they would be allowed home early, if they wanted. Rose and Alec were walking around the playground, Rose all wrapped up and clinging to Alec's arm.

"So, last day?" Rose grinned.

"You are coming around tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I? Mum's still working but she's finishing early on Christmas Eve so I can't be too late back, I have to help her get everything ready. So, do ya want your present before then or shall I bring it to the party, if I can get there? I'll need your aunt's number or maybe I should just call your number, what time are ya leaving?"

"I'll write her number down for you later, try ours first though. I hope you can get out Rose."

"So do I. Is your other cousin coming back?"

"John never said but there are a few others I want you to meet Rose."

"I'm gonna miss all my old friends. Still, it won't be so bad," she told him.

"You're away from your home Rose."

"Yeah but I have you and your family. They make me feel at home. Come on, time to go in or would ya rather stay out in the cold?" she smiled.

The next day, Rose told her mother she was off to Alec's then his aunts.

"I'm going to the library as well, I have some work to catch up on, Alec's gonna help me. So, is all the shopping done then?"

"Just a few more things, I'll get them when I finish work, unless you want to go?"

"Leave me a list then me and Alec can go, he won't mind helping me."

"Well don't forget I need you back early on Christmas Eve Rose," her mother reminded her.

Rose wished she could forget about it, until she was sure she was able to go out. When she got to Alec's she asked him if he was spending most of the holidays at his aunts.

"I don't think me and dad want to be on our own," he told her as he sat at the kitchen table. "It will remind us too much of my mum. Rose, did I tell you, that making friends with you, it won't seem too bad, that she won't be here?"

"Aw, I think ya said something before but I'm glad ya think of it like that. I'm gonna miss my friends but you make up for them."

"You told me the other day," Alec looked up from his writing and smiled.

Rose thought he would be pleased with the present she had picked out for him, he had now started to do some of his story writing downstairs while Rose listened to his ideas.

"Rose, I hope you can go to the party, it won't be the same without you being there."

"I hope so too, if he thinks I'm staying where his mates are, he's got another thing coming," Rose replied. "I have no idea why he insists on me being there, unless like I said he's showing off."

"Maybe all his friends have families and he's been left out until now?" Alec wondered.

"Well he's not making up for it by showing me off," Rose replied, leaning her head on her arms.

"Do you want to go out, are you bored?" he asked her.

Rose looked up and gave him a smile. "No, you carry on, I'll bring a book and leave it here next time. I really don't mind you writing, you know I look forward to hearing them being read out."

"I never read them to anyone before I met you, not even to my mum but I think I've written more the last few months," he admitted.

"Because of me?" Rose wondered. "So am I in this one then?"

"You'll just have to wait and see Rose," he teased her.

Rose changed the subject.

"Do ya think John will get back with Miss Evans?"

"He said he was going to try, maybe it's because they work together, he's already keeping it a secret that I'm his cousin and he takes us to school and back."

"Yeah, I think it could be a bit difficult then?"

"I expect so. Want to go out?" he asked, closing his notebook. "We could go to the library and you could get a book to read?"

"I should get some school books on Scottish history and geography, I'm never gonna get a good grade on those subjects."

"I told you I would help you Rose, you should have asked. My stories can always wait."

They put their coats on and walked down to the local library and Alec helped her find the books she needed.

"Are you going to spend the holidays catching up then?" Alec teased her as she was checking them out.

"I'll have something to do while you do your writing. It'll also give me an excuse not to spend all my time watching Christmas specials on the TV with my mum and Bob. I already warned my mum I needed to catch up on some work. Alec, promise not to say anything?" she asked as they walked away from the desk. Alec nodded. "I only just got into that school, I'm not as clever as I lead other people to believe."

Alec looked at her, standing in the entrance.

"I don't believe that Rose, you are clever, in your own way. You got in, that's what's important."

"No it's not, I barely scraped in, I think they had to take so many who didn't quite pass the entrance exam and I got lucky 'cos I'd just moved here."

"I would never have known Rose, you didn't have to tell me."

"I was gonna tell ya when I got the chance Alec, I should have told ya before. You've told me things but I wonder if John knows, since he doesn't ask me a lot of questions and never says anything?"

"He has access to your school records Rose, he'll know and he'll not say anything."

"Does it bother ya?" she asked as they went back out.

"No Rose, you're my friend, it makes no difference to me. I would never have known, if you'd not said but I still think you are one of the cleverest people I know, you know plenty of other things."

"Thanks," she smiled, putting her arm in his. "Hey, did we just pass Jamie going in with another boy?"

"Where?" Alec asked, trying to turn around. "Was it someone from school?"

"I don't know everyone in school Alec," Rose laughed.

"Well we used to go in all the time, it's nothing Rose. Still think you are right about him?"

"Maybe? He seems to have got over it though. You two spent a lot of time together, I think we'd have noticed at school, unless everyone's too busy watching us?"

"Well even Billy and his mates leave us alone now Rose. It was like they just went onto something else. So, have you any last minute shopping to do?"

"Yeah, tomorrow and you can come and help me," Rose smiled as they walked off. "My mum's gonna leave me a list."

Shopping was not one of Alec's favourite things, especially at this time of the year but he knew he had to make an effort to help her.

"Where do we have to go, into town?"

"Yeah, to the supermarket, have you got the bus fare?"

"I can manage, I don't suppose I can let you go on your own?"

So, on the morning of the 24th, Rose had promised to be back early and Jackie had promised to try her best to let her go out that evening.

"Rose, ya know it wasn't me, stopping you going out, don't ya?" she asked Rose before she went out.

"I used to think it was you but now I know it's not, Mum. I suppose I was used to doing it back home?"

"I'm only doing what I think's best for ya Rose."

"Yeah, it wasn't easy to get used to it Mum but I know you're doing your best now. Maybe I can sneak out and he'll never even notice, if he thinks I'm in my room?"

"Don't let him find out Rose, for goodness sake. Let's see what he says when he comes home? He might be in a good mood? If not, just wait until his mates arrive and say you're going to your room, then just slip out. As long as you're back just after midnight, they'll be people still here, just don't get caught coming back. Rose, I'm trying to do my best for ya."

"Yeah, I know you are Mum. See ya later then? I'm gonna clean up now to save time later."

"Did ya get Alec to help with the shopping then?"

"Yeah, he didn't seem to mind. Don't be late Mum."

When they went to Alec's aunt's later, they were helping to put the decorations up and Rose offered to help get everything ready.

"You have your own to do later," Alec reminded her.

"Yeah but no tea to cook tonight, thank goodness. If I don't call ya, it means I'm gonna have to sneak out, I can get here on my own Alec."

"Well I'm just worried you will get caught," he told her, touching her arm.

"Yeah, I know ya are Alec, I'll be fine."

"He may stop you on Boxing Day though," he reminded her.

"Well, best hope he either lets me out tonight or he doesn't catch me sneaking out then?"

He walked back to Rose's and Rose just kissed his cheek, that was cold.

"See ya later, hopefully," Rose grinned, taking her glove off.

Alec hoped he was worrying over nothing as he watched her go inside, knowing her mother would be home early. When Bob got home, he noticed Rose had got changed, hoping she could go out.

"So, can I meet your friends then go to Alec's aunt's party? I know everyone there, not like everyone who's coming here."

"Aw, go on Bob, let her go, she's been looking forward to it," her mother spoke up.

"I told you Jackie, you know everyone wants to meet her," Bob reminded her. "What's wrong with her staying?"

Rose was about to say plenty but decided not to.

"I'll only stay in my room if ya make me stay," she protested.

"Not until you've said hello to everyone," Bob reminded her. "Just do as I ask."

"Then can I go out?"

"That depends when everyone arrives, doesn't it?" Bob asked her.

"Then can I call Alec and tell him I might be late?"

"You can tell him you may not be going," he replied.

Rose thought there was only one thing for it. She had been good at sneaking out back home, this was no different as long as she used the stairs and not the lift.

"So what are you going to do?" Alec asked her when she called him.

"What do ya think?" Rose replied, trying to sound cheerful. "I'm not staying in my room all night and watch everyone trying the door handle."

"What?" Alec asked. "Would they do that?"

"Chill Alec, they'll only either be looking for somewhere to put their coats or do their snogging," she tried to joke.

Alec hated the thought someone would try her room door for any other reason.

"Well, we'll be setting off soon, just go to my aunt's house," he managed to tell her.

"Gotta go, the door buzzer just went."

Both Jackie and Bob appeared, Rose hoping she'd not been heard talking to Alec and was about to go to her room, to get her coat for a quick getaway when Bob told her to stay where she was. Half an hour later, after Bob had made sure he'd introduced Rose to those they didn't see in the pub on Saturday and she was trying to hide in the kitchen, her mother said nearly everyone was there, including a few neighbours and the living room was already nearly full.

Rose was not going in there, it was already full of smoke and she wondered if they'd ever get rid of the smell, her mother usually hated anyone smoking in their old flat. Her mother came in the kitchen for more party food.

"Rose, if you're going, go now. I'll tell Bob you went to your room, go on. I'll take the blame if ya get caught. I'm trying to make up sweetheart, I know ya finding all this difficult."

"Thanks Mum, the next time someone calls up, I'll nip into my room while you're letting them in."

Over at Alec's they were setting off, Alec still worrying Rose wouldn't get to the party.

"So why is she not allowed?" his dad asked him.

"She said Bob wanted her to meet all his friends, I'm still worried about her."

"I know you are Alec but there's not much we can do about it, if she never says much. Just being her friend helps."

When John let them in, he asked where Rose was.

"Should we go call for her?" John asked.

"She called me, she may have to sneak out," Alec admitted.

"Well come on then, not everyone's here yet, let's see if we can find her?" John suggested, going through to the hallway to get his coat.

They had just got to the corner and Alec thought he saw her just down the road, waiting to cross. While Bob had been greeting the last of their expected guests, Rose sneaked back in her room, then waited a few minutes, hoping she wouldn't be seen with her coat. She knew she'd have to leave the presents until Boxing Day, there was no way she could sneak them out as well.

She quietly closed the door, after she put her room door key in her pocket with the front door key and headed for the stairs as she didn't want to tempt fate by someone getting out of the lift who was late. She was glad their apartment didn't face onto the street either as she set off, fastening her coat. There was no-one around, which didn't really bother her. She got to the corner and was about to cross the road when she saw two figures up ahead.

Not daring to think it was Alec looking for her, she debated staying on her side of the road and walk further up to cross over, since she knew some of those from school also lived around there but as she walked up, the two figures crossed the road and she panicked slightly, until she could make out one was taller than the other and it was probably Alec and John after all.

Then Alec waved, not wanting to shout. There was some ice on the pavement, it had got cold suddenly and Rose was watching where she walked as they approached her.

"Hi you two," she just grinned.

"We thought you were going to cross the road," Alec told her as she took his arm, making John smile.

"I wasn't sure who was walking down the road. Ya didn't have to come looking for me."

"Is that right?" John joked, raising his eyebrows even though a scarf covered his chin now he'd pulled it up a bit.

"So did you have to sneak out then?" Alec asked as they crossed the almost empty road, apart from a few cars that were parked outside driveways. "Don't get caught on the way back."

"I used to do it all the time when I was back home," Rose replied, wanting to hurry up and get back inside a nice warm house.

"Well worry about that later," John told them as they reached his house, another car now parked on the road.

Once inside, Rose was introduced to Alec's other cousin who had finally decided to come home and his girlfriend, then another aunt and uncle and a teenage girl, a bit older than her and Alec.

"Hi there," the girl went up to Rose as she was introduced. "Are you Alec's girlfriend then?" she smiled. "I never thought my cousin would get one though looking at him, yeah, I can believe it."

Rose wondered what that was supposed to mean. She'd told Alec and John she'd have to leave at midnight, so she wouldn't be noticed sneaking in and they'd promised to get her back in time. Alec's aunt Mary told her she had to try to come over for the Hogmanay and Rose said her mother was going out anyway. Just after eleven, everyone was laughing and joking, mainly about Peter coming back and the fact Rose and Alec wouldn't admit they were more than friends, Alec followed Rose into the hallway as she went to the bathroom.

"Sorry they are teasing us," he apologized.

"Yeah, it's okay, maybe next year we'll admit it? We've not talked about it recently."

"I know that Rose, maybe we should leave it a few more months?" he suggested, leaning on the bottom of the banister. "Look what John put up when he got home?" he smiled, turning to the doorway and Rose seeing a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.

"What did he do that for?" she asked, since she always used the kitchen door.

"Well I don't think it was for Peter's benefit, do you?" he asked reaching his hand out to Rose, who was on the second step, having sat down.

They hadn't really held hands before, Rose was too busy holding onto his arm but she thought his hand felt warm, it was bigger than hers and as he took it, it was like hers fitted exactly as he squeezed it slightly and pulled her up and she let him lead her under it.

"So, what are we supposed to do now?" Rose thought she'd tease him.

"I think we're supposed to kiss under it and not just on the cheek," he teased her back.

"I know that, ya plum," Rose laughed, Alec hoping no-one was going to open a door and ask what they were doing but if John had planned this, he'd notice they were both missing and try to stop anyone.

"Merry Christmas Rose," he whispered, kissing her cheek.

Rose squeezed his hand for him to let go and since he was slightly taller than she was, reached up now she had her flat boots on and kissed his back. She put her hands on his shoulders and edged slightly forward. Alec thought she was going to just kiss his cheek back but a strange feeling came over him that he didn't just want her to kiss his cheek back, did he?

Rose was getting butterflies in her tummy, more than the first time she'd dared to kiss his cheek and he was clearly expecting her to just do it back but she looked up to the mistletoe above them.

"Merry Christmas Alec," then before either of them knew it, she reached forward and brushed his lips with her own then Alec leaned forward and did the same.